Sterling to wait until 2014 to field a Collegiate Mountain Baseball League team

Paul Gorte, the new executive director of the Logan County Economic Development Corporation, addresses the audience at the organization's annual meeting on Monday at Plainsman Grill. (Callie Jones/Journal-Advocate)

STERLING — Logan County's future looks bright. The Logan County Economic Development Corporation (LCEDC) went over some of their success and the ongoing work they're doing during their annual meeting on Monday at Plainsman Grill.

LCEDC is a non-profit corporation formed to expand the economic base of Logan County through retention and expansion of existing businesses, recruitment of diverse and complementary new businesses and infrastructure development.

Less than two weeks ago the corporation welcomed a new executive director, Paul Gorte, who was formally introduced at the meeting.

“I'm excited to be here and looking forward to working with all of you,” he told the audience.

Logan County Economic Development Corporation President Alex Wright (right), who was voted back onto the group's board, visits with Dan Jones after the annual meeting. (Callie Jones/Journal-Advocate)

LCEDC President Alex Wright pointed out that their work requires a lot of confidentially and because they're unable to talk about a lot of what they're doing, it can seem to some that they really aren't doing much. But that's not true.

“We're doing a lot of things,” he said. “We just can't talk about a lot of them.

“We're always working on something, usually different things at once.”

One of the big things they're working on right now is helping organize a Mountain Collegiate Baseball League franchise.

Wright announced Monday that the steering committee, made up of representatives from the LCEDC, Logan County Chamber of Commerce, city of Sterling, Logan County and Northeastern Junior College, has decided to wait until 2014 to field a team.

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“There was a short time period where theoretically we could have filled in a team this year, but we want to make sure we get it done right,” he said.

The team will use NJC's baseball field, which will need lights added for night games. Those lighting improvements will kick off future plans for developing a sports complex on the Plainsman Field, for community-wide sports activities. The complex would include upgraded little league fields, softball fields, soccer fields and an indoor hitting facility.

Jay Lee visits with guests at Logan County Economic Development Corporation's annual meeting. Lee was voted onto the organization's board at the meeting. (Callie Jones/Journal-Advocate)

Once they get some funding for the lights, they're hoping that will increase the grant opportunities available do some of the other upgrades.

“With a small start we could get this incredible facility out there, that could be a huge benefit to a lot of people,” Wright said.

Results of a survey conducted by the Chamber showed 90 percent of respondents wanted the committee to continue to invest time and energy for the possibility of the MCBL franchise. When asked if they would attend evening baseball games, 63 percent said yes and 30 percent said maybe.

LCECD is also working with the city of Sterling to find a fixed-base operator for the Sterling Airport and the Chamber to get some amenities at North Sterling State Park.

Additionally, they're continuing to work with Star Clean Oil.

“It's looking better and better everyday,” Wright said.

Plus, they're in talks with a new developer who is interested in the Buffalo Hills Marketplace east of Interstate 76.

Wright gave an update on the LCEDC/Sterling Urban Renewal Authority (SURA) Joint Committee, which is still working on the S-curve project and the conversion of one-way streets to two-way streets. He said that project should be at least started in 2014.

LCEDC's successes over the past year include working with SURA to help bring new businesses to town, including Old Town Bistro and Aaron's Rent to Own. They also helped with Gateway Park and downtown streetscape improvements.

Additionally, LCEDC collaborated with the city of Sterling to obtain assistance from Downtown Colorado, Inc., regarding revitalization for downtown Sterling. The final report is expected shortly.

“We'll be able to take a look at that and see what we can do, not just as a city, but also economic development,” Wright said. “What more can be done in addition to the Sterling Master Plan.”

Also, through the Citizen's Advisory Board the corporation is working on monument signage at the entrances to Sterling and the West Main Street beautification project. Wright said the monument signage should be up this year.

LCEDC's other success over the recent years include expansion of the East Cheyenne Gas storage facility, the opening of Hibbett Sports, Frontier Energy's acquisition of Luft Machine and its expansion, Colorado Highlands Wind and the Logan County Industrial Park.

Wright talked about the growth the Small Business Development Center has seen.

“Logan County has really ramped up in terms of SBDC,” he said.

It now has the largest client base in a 12-county area, behind only Weld County.

Last year, SBDC served 53 clients, retained 27 jobs, created 16 new jobs and saw three new business starts. Approximately 65 percent of SBDC clients are existing businesses.

David Lauer gave a financial report.

LCEDC had $32,156 in revenue over expenses, so they were able to increase their coffer by $32,000, for a total fund balance of $241,537.

“Sometimes you may look at that and go, ‘Oh, you've got too much money.' Maybe, maybe not,” he said. “It all depends on what the goals and objectives of the board are. There's times that for the non-profits, that you do accumulate because you've got projects down the road that you just can't spend the money today, you have to build a reserve.”

Wright talked about sales tax, noting the city of Sterling reported retail, taxable sales increased by 1.02 percent, from $210,794,320 in 2011 to $215,347,415 in 2012, while retail, taxable sales in the county decreased 5.66 percent from $27,339,173 in 2011 to $25,790,477 in 2012.

“The revenues from the hotel tax were higher than were expected,” Wright said.

The economic impact of the hotel stays was $3,598,883.

At the close of the meeting the corporation appointed the three candidates who applied to fill open board seats – Wright, Jay Lee and Shannon Dougherty.

They also recognized Dan Long, a founding board member who is term limited; retired executive director Rich O'Connell; and Jim Neblett, who served as interim executive director until Gorte was hired.

RE-1 Valley School District has announced its policy for determining eligibility of children who may receive free and reduced price meals served under the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Program.
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